Staying healthy as a senior

Over 50 percent of seniors in the care of others are at risk for being under- or malnourished, according to the Mayo Clinic and American Dietetic Association. Malnutrition isn’t defined as a lack of food, but instead the lack of proper nutrition. In many cases, malnutrition can be especially difficult to detect. Some seniors even eat plenty, but happen to be eating the wrong foods to keep themselves healthy. With the aid of Comfort Keepers senior in-home care, seniors are helped to live healthy, independent lives. That’s why Comfort Keepers has created a campaign to speak about senior nutrition.

Just as seniors age and change, their nutritional needs change as well. Keeping them properly fed and healthy makes a real difference in their quality of life. Comfort Keepers wants caregivers and family members to be aware of ways to monitor the nutrition of seniors in your care. Here are some tips to avoid malnutrition in your elder loved ones:

– Watch out for health issues such as slow wound healing, easy bruising and dental problems.

– Keep track of any weight loss. Purchase a home scale for a senior’s household to monitor weight daily.

– Pay close attention to seniors’ eating habits and ask them to tell you where and when they eat, but don’t rely on self-reports alone. Since Comfort Keepers® often spend mealtimes with seniors at home, they may have a better idea of normal eating habits.

– Suggest family members visit during mealtimes which can improve how much a senior eats. If a senior lives alone, make sure you know who is buying his or her food.